After living in an apartment off-campus, and many rounds of grocery shopping, I learned that getting a few staples are necessary for midnight cravings, getting necessary nutrients, and not breaking the bank with all my meals. These staples are always at my apartment and hopefully, it will help more college students have more ideas on college meals.
1. Bananas
Bananas are not only one of the cheapest fruits, but they contain a lot of nutrients, they help digestion, and contain magnesium and potassium. I like adding them to my smoothies or just taking one to go as a snack before class.
2. Chips and dip
There are days when I am on the go and need a quick meal but do not even have time to chuck food in the microwave. Chips and dip provide a nice variety to my diet without being too filling or making me feel weighed down. My two personal favorite dips are smoked fish and tzatziki. They both last a while in the fridge and also deliver a little bit of protein. Another good option is salsa as they can last a long time in the fridge.
3. Loaf of bread
Sounds simple, but this is an important staple that makes finding quick meals easier. I will buy cans of tuna, spam, or other cheap fillings to make different sandwiches. Even though I only make sandwiches with a loaf of bread, buying these cheap fillings makes it easy to give variety to my meals.
4. Frozen Pizza
These do often go to the back of my freezer, forgotten, but they do come in handy when I am starving and want a quick and greasy meal. They are also perfect when friends are coming over but there is no time to whip up a fancy meal to impress.
5. Dates
I try to eat one or two dates a day. Buying a big bag is cheap, and they contain a lot of fiber and nutrients that are necessary, especially when one is not eating a lot of fruits or vegetables.
6. Eggo Chocolate Chip Waffles
These are a big secret craving of mine. A big box of them is super cheap, and they make for a quick and filling breakfast. If I am feeling fancy, I will top them off with Nutella, strawberries, and bananas. While it is not the most healthy breakfast, it is super filling, and it gives me enough fuel until lunch.
7. Dried pasta
This should be a staple in everyone’s pantry. I like going to the grocery store and adding a new pasta shape to my basket. It is super easy to whip up a meal that is filling by just adding leftover vegetables to a pot with the pasta and having any sauce on top.
There are many other staples that college students will need when moving into their first apartment. My advice is to not be too harsh on yourself as it takes a couple of grocery runs to not be throwing away produce that had gone bad or buying food that will forever be hidden in the back of the pantry.